East Brimfield Dam
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| East Brimfield Dam | |
 East Brimfield Dam and Lake |
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| Official name | East Brimfield Dam |
|---|---|
| Impounds | Quinebaug River |
| Creates | East Brimfield Reservoir |
| Locale | Sturbridge, Massachusetts |
| Maintained by | Army Corps of Engineers |
| Length | 520 ft |
| Height | 55 ft |
| Construction began | 1958 |
| Opening date | 1960 |
The East Brimfield Dam is located on the Quinebaug River in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, approximately 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Worcester, Massachusetts.
Designed and constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, this dam substantially reduces flooding along the Quinebaug and Thames rivers. Construction of the project began in 1958 with completion in 1960 at a cost of US$7,020,000.
The East Brimfield reservoir is located within the Quinebaug River Watershed and is part of the Thames River Basin. Access to the site is available from US Route 20.
Contents |
[edit] Description
The project consists of a rolled earth fill dam with stone slope protection 520 feet (160 m) long and 55 feet (17 m) high. Cut in rock, the spillway comprises a concrete weir 75 ft (23 m) in length. The weir's crest elevation is 19.2 feet (7.0 m) lower than the top of the dam. The permanent lake at East Brimfield Dam, East Brimfield Reservoir (which includes Long Pond, a natural body of water that was enlarged by the dam's pool) is 360 acres (1.5 km²) in size. Also located on the project are numerous natural bodies of water that are not effected by the dam under normal conditions, but are raised and inundated when the reservoir is filled for flood control. These include the 65 acre Lake Siog, and the 15 acre Lost Lake. The flood storage area for the entire project covers about 2,270 acres (9.2 km²) in the towns of Sturbridge, Brimfield, and Holland, Massachusetts. The entire project, including all associated lands, covers 2,070 acres (8.4 km²). The East Brimfield Dam can store up to 29,900 acre feet (36,900,000 m³) of water, equivalent to 9.7 billion (thousand million) gallons, for flood control purposes. This is equivalent to 8.3 inches (210 mm) of water runoff from its drainage area of 67.5 square miles.
[edit] Recreation
There are many areas and facilities for recreation at the East Brimfield Lake project.
[edit] Day Use Recreation Areas
Lake Siog Recreation Area is located at the southern end of the project on Dug Hill Road in the town of Holland. It offers a shaded picnic area, freshwater swimming beach, and 1/2 mile nature trail. This recreation area is open seasonally (1st weekend in June - Labor Day) only on fridays, saturdays, and sundays from 10am-6pm. There is no entrance fee.
Streeter Point Recreation Area is located on US Route 20 in the town of Sturbridge. It offers a freshwater swimming beach and picnic area. It is open daily in season (Memorial Day-Labor Day) from 9am-6pm. Though located on project lands, this recreation area is operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. There is a $5 per vehicle entrance fee.
East Brimfield Damsite is located on Rivrview Avenue in the town of Sturbridge. Here, visitors can walk along the top of the dam, or walk the 3/4 mile self-guided nature trail. Open year-round, sunrise to sunset. No entrance fee.
Quinebaug River Canoe trail is a 5-mile (8.0 km) flatwater canoe route along the Quinebaug River from the outlet of Lake Siog to East Brimfield Reservoir. The upstream-end canoe launching point is on Pond Bridge Road in the town of Holland. The downstream-end launching point is at the East Brimfield Reservoir boat ramp on US Route 20 in the town of Brimfield. Three "rest stops" are located along the way with benches for a quick rest. Ovrnight camping is prohibited. This is a designated National Recreational Trail. No fee for use.
Champeaux Road Fishing Area is an ADA handicapped accessible fishing area near the northern end of the reservoir, along Champeaux Road in the town of Sturbridge. Facilities include a parking area, and two fully accessible fishing platforms on the shoreline of Long Pond. No fee for use.
[edit] Boat Ramps
Long Pond Boat Ramp is located on the north side of US Route 20 in the town of Sturbridge. Paved area with portable toilet (in season) and information kiosk. No fee.
Reservoir Boat Ramp is located on the south side of US Route 20 in the town of Brimfield. Paved area with information kiosk. No fee.
Holland Pond Boat Launch is located on Pond Bridge Road in the town of Holland. Unpaved area with information kisok. Recommended for car-top launching only. No fee.
[edit] References
- [1] Basic information website.
